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Kottaras finds success batting second

Kottaras finds success batting second

MILWAUKEE -- After performing well his first time as the Brewers' No. 2 hitter, catcher George Kottaras will likely see his name in that spot in the order again in the near future.

Kottaras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk as the Brewers beat the Mets, 8-6, on Saturday at Miller Park.

"I just took it for what it was and didn't really try to change my approach too much," Kottaras said. "I'm going to take what I can get with whatever the pitcher's going to give me."

Upon learning he had been moved up to the No. 2 spot in the Brewers' lineup, even George Kottaras was surprised by the decision.

"I did? They changed the lineup?" Kottaras asked. "I came in and they had me batting eighth."

Kottaras, who has become the team's No. 1 catcher since Gregg Zaun went on the disabled list a week ago, has just a .224 batting average. But his on-base percentage is more than 200 points higher, at an impressive .425.

"His on-base percentage is .425," Macha said, referring to Kottaras. "I think he's done a great job in the eighth spot getting a lot of walks and turning the lineup over quite a bit. ... So we'll see how this works out. George's got some power, maybe he'll get some balls to hit and hit some home runs too."

When asked about the last time he had batted as high as second in the lineup, Kottaras recalled the exact game.

"I had just gotten traded from San Diego to Boston [in September 2006]," Kottaras said. "We went to the Double-A playoffs and they batted me second. I went 2-for-4, I had a home run and I stole a base."